Interpolymers of an unsaturated alkyd resin and a poly-(1-halogenoallyl) ester



Patented May 25, 1943 INTERPOLYMERS OF AN UNSATURATED ALKYD RESIN AND A POLY- (l-HALOGENO- ALLYL) ESTER Gaetano F. DAlelio, Pittsiield, Mass., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York No Drawing.. Original application October 31. 1939, Serial No. 302,171. Divided and this application August 22, 1942, Serial No. 455,812

19 Claims. (Cl. 260-42) This application isa division of my copending application Serial No. 302,171, filed October 31. 1939, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

This invention relates to the production of new materials having valuable and characteristic properties that make them especially suitable for use in industry, for example in molding, laminating, casting, coating and adhesive applications, and for other purposes. The invention is concerned more particularly with compositions of matter comprising an interpolymer (copolymer) or interpolymers of at least one modifled or unmodified polyhydric alcohol ester of an alpha unsaturated alpha beta polycarboxylic acid (hereafter for brevity designated generally as an unsaturated alkyd resin) and at least one poly-(1-halogenoallyl) ester of a non-ethylenic polycarboxylic acid such, for instance, as saturated aliphatic (including saturated cycloaliphatic) and aromatic polycarboxylic acids.

The poly-(l-halogenoaliyl) esters of non-ethylenic polycarboxylic acids used in carrying the present invention into effect may be considered as being allyl esters having the graphic formula where n has a' numerical value of at least 2, X is a halogen and Y is a radical of a nonethylenlc polycarboxylic acid (or anhydride thereof if available) containing at least two esteriflable carboxy groups. From the above formula it will be seenthat polyesters, the alcohol radicals of which contain the grouping XCH=CH-CH:

are embraced by this invention. Illustrative of the non-ethylenic polycarboxylic acids which may be employed in preparing these poly-(l-halogenoallyl) esters, which also may be named poly-(3-halogenoallyl) esters, are the saturated aliphatic polycarboxylic acids such as oxalic, malonic, succinic. adipic, glutaric, .plmelic, sebacic, azelaic, suberic, tricarballylic, etc., the cyclic polycarboxylic acids, e. g., the saturated cycloaliphatic polycarboxylic acids such' as the cyclopropane dicarboxylic acids, the cyclohexane dicarboxylic acids, the alkyl cycloalkane polycarboxylic acids, etc., and the aromatic polycarboxylic acids such as phthalic, isophthalic, terephthalic, benzoyl phthalic, diphenic and henzophenone-2,4'-dicarboxylic acids, etc., the hydroxy saturated polycarboxylic acids, e. g., citric, tartaric, etc., and similar substances.

The poly-(l-halcgenoallyl) esters used in carmers usually are 01' a low molecular weight, fluid nature and are of limited commercial value. 0n the other hand,the unsaturated alkyd resins alone are unsuited, even in the presence of polymerization catalysts such as peroxides, for the preparation of practically useful massive bodies. With or without polymerization catalysts, however, they may be applied in film form and, under the influence of heat or light, or heat and light, may be converted in a reasonable time to a cured film. But if effort be made to prepare commercially useful massive bodies from the unsaturated alkyds alone, heat treatment even for 24 hours inv the presence of a polymerization catalyst such as super-peroxides usually gives unsuitable materials, that is, they generally lack the properties required for the usual service applications. For example, the cast or molded articles often are soft, rubber masses (even after heat treatment for 24 hours at elevated temperatures) or, if hard bodies, frequently are filled with bubbles or show cracks, or both, when cured.

It was therefore quite surprising and unexpected to find that by copolymerlzing apoly-(lhalogenoallyl) ester of a non-ethylenic polycarboxylic acid with an unsaturated alkyd resin, in-

.terpolymers were obtained having properties quite different from the properties of the individual components when polymerized under the same conditions. The properties of the interpolymers range, for example, from hard, tough, insoluble and infusible bodies both in film 'form and when cast or molded in large size to softer, flexible, bodies. In general, the properties of these new products are such as to render them suitable for a wide variety of technical applications.

Compositions produced in accordance with this invention alsov are particularly well adapted for use as solventless varnishes, for instance as coating compositions and binders in the production of laminated sheets and tapes for use in insulating electrical devices, as well as for other applications.

Another practical advantage accruing from my invention is that the poly-(l-halogenoallyl) esters of nonethylenic polycarboxylic acids are good dispersion mediums i'or polymerization catalysts such as super-peroxides, which catalysts are dissolved or dispersed in the unsaturated alkyd resins alone only with great diiliculty.

In'carrying the present invention into eflect x a polymerizable esterification product oi ingredients comprising a polyhydric alcohol and an alpha unsaturated alpha beta polycarboxlic acid is first prepared in accordance with technique now well known to those skilled in the alkyd resin art. Any polyhydric alcohol containing at least two esterfiable aliphatic hydroxyl groups, or mixtures of such alcohols, may be 'used in preparing the unsaturated alkyd resin; Examples of such polyhydric alcohols are ethylene glycol, di-, triand tetra-ethylene glycols, propylene glycol, trimethylene glycol, glycerine, pentaerythritol, etc. Any alpha unsaturated'alpha beta polycarboxylic acid, or mixtures of such acids, may be reacted with the polyhydric alcohol or alcohols to form the unsaturated alkyd resin. Examples of such polycarboxylic acids are maleic, monohalomaleic, fumaric, monohalofumaric, cit raconic, mesaconic, acetylene dicarboxylic, aconitic, itaconic and its homologues as, for instance, alpha methyl itaconic acid, alpha ethyl itaconic acid, alpha. alpha dirnethyl itaconic acid, etc. If available, anhydrides of these polycarboxylic acids may be employed.

The terms "polycarboxylic acid and dicarboxylic acid, as used generally herein and in the appended claims with reference to non-ethylenic polycarboxylic acids and alpha unsaturated alpha beta polycarboxylic acids, are intended to include within their meaning the anhydrides of such boxylic acid, for example a saturated aliphatic polycarboxylic acid such as succinic, adipic, glutaric, pimelic, sebacic, azelaic, suberic, tricarballylic, etc., a cycloaliphatic or an aromatic polycarboxylic acid, e. g., cyclopropane dicarboxylic, cyclohexane dicarboxylic, phthalic, benzoyl phthalic, terephthalic, isophthalic, benzophenone-2,4'-dicarboxylic acids, etc., or with anhydrides of such acids if available.

The term unsaturated alkyd resin" as used generally herein and in the appended claims is intended to. include within its meaning both unmodifledesteriflcation products of a polyhvdric alcohol with an alpha unsaturated alpha betapolycarboxylic acid and polymerizable esteriflcation products of the said components which have been modified, for example, as above briefly described.

To achieve copolymerization of the unsaturated alkyd resin with the poly-(l-halogenoallyl) ester, a solution or the said resin in the said ester first preferably is effected. The poly-(l-halogenoallyl) ester also advantageously may act as the carrier for a small amount of a polymerization catalyst. Examples of polymerization catalysts which may be used are ozone, ozonides, inorganic super-oxides such as barium peroxide, sodium peroxide, etc., aliphatic acyl peroxides, e. g., acetyl peroxide, lauryl peroxide, stearyl peroxide, etc., peroxides of the aromatic acid series, e. g., benzoyl peroxide, various per-compounds such as perborates, persulfates, perchlorates, etc., aluminum salts such as the halides, e. g., aluminum chloride, etc., organic and inorganic acids such as methacrylic acid, hydrofluoric acid, etc., metal compounds of the unsaturated acids as, for instance, cobalt and manganese resinates, linoleates, maleates, etc. Benzoyl peroxide is the preferred catalyst. Any suitable amount of catalyst may he used, but in general the catalyst concentration will be within the range of 0.1 to 2.0 per cent by weight of the whole.

When rapidity of interpolymerization between the poly-(l-halogenoallyl) ester and the unsaturated alkyd resin is of secondary importance,

copolymerization between these components may be effected merely under the influence of heat, light, or h at and light and in the absence of an accelerate. of polymerization. The rate of copolymerization and the properties of the final product vary with the time, temperature and, if a catalyst is used, also with the catalyst concentration. Copolymerization may be eflected at from room temperature (20 to 30 C.) to temperatures above C., for example about C., but ordinarily I use temperatures within the range of 60 to 120 C. in causing the mixed components to interpolymerize.

In order that those skilled in the art better may understand how the present invention may be carried into effect, the following example is given by way of illustration. All parts are by weight.

Example 1 Parts Diethylene glycol maleate" 90 Di-(l-chloroallyl) succinate 10 Benzoyl peroxide 1 'N0'm.--Tho diethylene glnrolnmh-afo was prepared by oeterify-ing 147 parts maleic nnhydride with parts diethylene glycol. The mixed reactants were heated in a nitrogen atmosphere. the temperature being brought to C. in one hour and hold at that temperature for about 3 to 5 hours.

The benzoyl peroxide was dissolved in the di- (l-chloroallyl) succinate, which also may be named di-(B-chloroallyl) succinate, and the resulting solution was mixed with the diethylene glycol maleate. The mixture was then subjected to heat, specifically a temperature of about 85 to 90 'C. In about 10 minutes the solution was converted to a hard, insoluble, infusible composition. Heat treatment for 12 hours at 85 to C. gave no visual indication of further interpolymerization between the components. When a small sample of the mixed components was heated on a 130 C. hot plate, it hardened in less than 45 seconds.

Fillers such as alpha cellulose, shredded cellulose derivatives, wood flour, asbestos, paper, cloth, etc., may be impregnated with the mixed unpolymerized or partially polymerized components and the mass hardened under heat or under heat and pressure to yield molded articles or good appearance and physical characteristics.

It will be understood, of course, that my invention is not limited to interpolymerization products of diethylene glycol maleate and the di-(lchloroallyl) succinate given in the above illustrative example and that instead of using this particular po1y-( l-halogenoallyl) succinate, I may use 9, poly-'(1-halogenoallyl) ester or any other non-ethylenic polycarboxylic acid, for example Where lightness of color of the copolymer is desirable, the iodo derivatives should be avoided. I

prefer to use the chloro derivatives. Instead of using diethylene glycol maleate, I may use any other polymerizable unsaturated alkyd resin, for

2,319,799 example glyceryl itaconate, gl'yceryl maleatc.

ethylene glycol maleate, ethylene glycol itaconate. esterincation products of ethylene glycol, itaconic acid'and phthalic anhydride, oi glycerine, itaconic acid and phthalic anhydride, of diethylene glycol, itaconic acid and succinic acid, of ethylene glycol, maleic anhydride and succinic acid, of diethylene glycol, maleic anhydride and itaconic acid, oi diethylene glycol, maleic anhydride and phthalic anhydride, oi glycerine, maleic anhydride and phthalic anhydride, etc. Such modilied and unmodified unsaturated alkyd resins are described more fully in my copending application, Serial No. 302,172, filed October 31, 1939, now Patent No. 2,308,494, issued January 19, 1943, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.

Also, polymerization catalysts other than benzoyl peroxide may be employed, for instance accelerators of polymerization such as hereinbefore mentioned.

In certain cases, instead of copolymerizin": a

single poly-(l-halogenoallyl) ester of a nonethylenic polycarboxylic acid with a single unsaturated alkyd resin, I may copolymerize a plurality of such esters either with a single unsaturated alkyd resin or with a plurality, of such resins. In this way it is possible to obtain a composition comprising a mixture of interpolymers best adapted to meet a particular service application. I

Although in the foregoing example I have shown an interpolymerization product of a minor proportion to per cent by weight of the mixed components) of a poly-(l-halogenoallyl), ester with a major proportion of an unsaturated alkyd resin, it will be understood, of course. that the invention is not limited to these particular proportions. Mainly for economic reasons I prefer that the poly-(l-halogenoallyl) ester does not exceed substantially per cent by weight of the mixed materials, but the use of higher amounts is not preciuded, as for example up to, say, or per cent by weight of the whole. The incorporation of a small amount, e. g., 1 or 2 per cent, of a poly-(l-halogenoallyl) ester of a then may be copolymerized after application of the solution to the particular article to be coated or impregnated. By suitable selection of the starting materials and the conditions of interpolymerization, interpolymers can be obtained in an insoluble, infusible state practically resistant to the destructive eiiect of other chemical bodies such as acids, bases, solvents and the like.

These new interpolymers may be used alone or with tillers or other modifying agents, for example in casting, molding and laminating applications, as adhesives, impregnants and surface coating materials. They may be used as impregnants for many porous bodies, such as cork, pottery, felts or fabricated bodies with interstices, e. g., the windings of electrical coils, netted ilber, interwoven ilbrous materials, etc. They also may be used for protectively coating impervious articles such as metals, or for coating or coating and impregnating articles such as paper, wood, cloth, glass fibers, concrete, synthetic boards, etc. They also may be employed in the production of wire enamels and winding tapes. The mixed components or partial interpolymers thereof, with or without modifying agents, may be cast and molded under heat or under heat and pressure. They also may be molded by injection, extrusion or compression molding technique whereby they are heat-and pressure-hardened to yield molded articles of manufacture for various in- I dustrial, household and novelty uses.

The interpolymerization products of this invention have a wide range of properties. Depending, for example-upon the particular poly- (l-halogenoallyl) ester and the particular unsaturated alkyd resin employed. the particular proportions thereof, the particular conditions of polymerization and the extent of the interpolymerization, they vary from soft, flexible, soluble bodies to hard, rigid masses of varying resistance to solvents. merization some form fluid compositions of varying intrinsic viscosities and may be so used. For coating and impregnating applications where the presence of a small amount of solvent in the cured composition is not objectionable. the mixed starting components maybe diluted with volatile or non-volatile solvents to viscosities best adapted to meet the particular service application, and

In intermediate stages of copoly- What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:'

i. A polymerizable composition comprising (i) a polymerizable unsaturated alkyd resin, (2) a poly-(l-halogenoallyl) ester of a polycarboxylic acid selected from the class consisting of saturated aliphatic polycarboxylic acids and aromatic polycarboxylic acids, said poly-(l-halogenoallyl) ester constituting from 1 to 65 per cent by weight of the mixed components of (l) and (2). and

(3) a catalyst for accelerating the copolymerization of the said mixed components.

2. The polymerized composition of claim 1. 3. A composition'comprising the product 'of polymerization of a mixture of copolymerizable materials comprising (1) a polymerizable esteriflcation product of a polyhydric alcohol, an alpha unsaturated alpha beta polycarboxylic acid and a polycarboxylic acid selected from the class consisting of saturated aliphatic polycarboxylic acids and aromatic polycarboxylic acids and (2) a poly-(l-halogenoallyl) ester of a polycarboxylic acid selected from the class consisting of saturated aliphatic. polycarboxylic acids and aromatic polycarboxylic acids, said poly-(ihalogenoallyl) ester constituting-from l to 65 per cent by weight of the mixed components of (l) and (2). A

4. A composition comprising the product of polymerization of .a mixture comprising (1) 'a polymerizable unsaturated alkyd resin obtained by reaction of ingredients comprising a dihydric alcohol and an alpha unsaturated alpha beta dicarboxylic acid and (2) a poly-(l-halogenoallyl) ester of a polycarboxylic acid selected from the class consisting of saturated aliphatic polycarboxylic acids and aromatic polycarboxylic acids. said poly-(l-halogenoallyl) ester constituting from 1 to per cent by weight of the mixed components of (l) and (2).

5. A composition containing the product of polymerization of a mixture of copolymerlzable" materials comprising (1) an unsaturated alkyd resin and (2) a poly-(l-halogenoallyl) ester of an aromatic polycarboxylic acid, said poly-(l-halogenoallyl) ester constituting from to 50 per cent by weight of the mixed components of (1) and (2).

6. A composition comprising the product of polymerization or a mixture including (1) a polymerizable unsaturated alkyd resin obtained by reaction of a mass comprising essentially a polyhydric alcohol and an alpha unsaturated alpha beta polycarboxylic acid and (2) a poly-(lchloroallyl) ester 01' an aromatic polycarboxyiic acid, said poly-(l-chloroallyl) ester constituting from 5 to 50 per cent by weight 01 the-mixed components of (l) and (2) 'l. A composition comprising theproduct of polymerization of a mixture comprising (1) a polymerizable unsaturated alkyd resin obtained by reaction of ingredients comprising a dihydric alcohol and an alpha unsaturated alpha beta dicarboxylic acid and (2) a poly-(l-chloroallyl) ester oi. an aromatic polycarboxylic acid, said poly-(l-chloroallyl) ester constituting -from 5 to 50 per cent by weight of the mixed components of (l) and (2). a

8. A composition containing the product of polymerization or a mixture of copolymerizable materials comprising (1) an unsaturated alkyd resin and (2) a poly-(l-halogenoallyl) ester or a saturated aliphatic polycarboxylic acid, said poly- (l-halogenoallyl) ester constituting from 5 to 50 per cent by weight 01' the mixed components of (l) and (2). 1

9. A composition comprising the product of polymerization of a mixture including (1) a polym'erizable unsaturated alkyd resin obtained by reaction 01' a mass comprising'essentially a polyhydric alcohol and an alpha unsaturated alpha beta, poly'carboxylic acid and (2) a poly-(b chloroallyl) ester of a'saturated'aliphatic polycarboxylic acid, said poly-('l chlo'roallyl) ester constituting from 5 to 50 per cent by weight of the mixed components of (1) and (2) 10. A composition comprising the product of polymerization of a mixture comprising (1) a polymerizable unsaturated alkyd resin obtained by rea'ction'of'ingredients comprising a dihydric alcohol and an alpha unsaturated alpha beta dicarboxylic acid and (2) a poly-(1-chloroallyl) ester or a saturated aliphatic pclycarboxylic acid, said poly-'(l-chloroallyl) ester-constituting from 5 to 50'pe'r cent by weight of the-mixed .components of (l) and (2) 11. A product comprising an inter-polymer or 1) a polymerizable unsaturated alkyd resin and (2) asuccinic di-ester of l-chloroallyi alcohol in an amount corresponding to from 5 to 50 per cent by Weight of the mixed components or (1) and (2).

12. A product comprising an interpolymer of (1) a olymerizable unsaturated alkyd resin and (2) an adipic dl-ester of l-chloroallyl alcohol in an amount corresponding to from 5 to 50 per cent by weight 01' the mixed components of (1) and (2).

13. A product comprising an interpolymer 01. (l) a polymerizable'unsaturated alkyd resin and (2) a phthalic ell-ester of l-chloroallyl alcohol in an amount corresponding to from 5 to 50 per cent b2y)wei8ht ot the mixed components of (l) and 14. A composition comprising the product of polymerization of a mixture comprising (1) a polymerizable unsaturated alkyd resin obtained by reaction of inzredients-comprising a dihydric alcohol and an alpha unsaturated alpha beta dicarboxylic acid and (2) a phthalic di-ester oi l-chloroallyl alcohol in an amount corresponding to from 5 to 50 per cent by weight or the mixed components of (l) and (2) 15. As a new product, an interpolymer resulting from the polymerization of a mixture of (l) a polymerizable maleic ester of a polyhydric alcohol and (2) a phthalic di-ester or l-chloroallyl alcohol, said di-ester constituting. from 5 to 50 per cent by weight or the mixed components of (l) and (2).

18. A composition comprising the product of polymerization of a mixture comprising (1) a polymerizable maleic ester of a dihydric alcohol and (2) a phthalic di-ester,of l-chloroallyl alcohol in an amount corresponding to from 5 to 50 per cent by weight or the mixed components of (1) and (2).

17. A composition comprising an interpolymer of (l) di-ethylene glycol maleate and (2) a phthalic di-ester of l-chloroallyl alcohol in an amount corresponding to from 5 to 50 per cent by weizht oi the mixed components of (l) and 18. A composition comprising an interpolymer of (l) di-ethylene glycol malea'te and (2) a succinic di-ester of l-chloroallyl alcohol in an amount corresponding to from 5 to 50 per cent 1);)W818ht oi the mixed. components of (1) and 19. The method of producing a new synthetic composition which comprises (1) forming a polymerizable composition comprising (a) a polymerizable'unsaturated alkyd resin, (12) a poly- (l-halogenoallyl) ester of a polycarboxylic acid selected from the class consisting of saturated aliphatic polycarboxylic acids and aromatic polycarboxylic acids, said poly-(l-halogenoallyl) ester constituting from 1 to per cent by weight ot'the mixed components of (a) and (b), and (c) a catalyst for acceleratin the copolymerization GAETANO F. DALELIO. 

